Laukanaka Ka Hula…Multitudes of Hula People Gather, the 40th anniversary of the Prince Lot Hula Festival taking place at Iolani Palace on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will showcase twenty of Hawai`i’s finest hālau hula (hula groups) over the festival weekend. A performance line-up is attached.

The largest non-competitive hula exhibition in Hawai‘i, the festival will be held this year at Iolani Palace where Prince Lot Kapuāiwa maintained his official residence. It is presented by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Hawaii’s native culture and natural resources.

Festival highlights include an impressive Opening Ceremony led by the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Chapters 1, 6 and 8, on Saturday at 9 am followed by the presentation of MGF’s prestigious Kukui o Lota Award to Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Charles M. Cooke, IV.

On Sunday at 10 am master chanter Cy Bridges will receive MGF’s inaugural Namakahelu Oli Award for his contributions to the preservation of this ancient art form.

He carries on the tradition of his great-great-grandfather James Kapihe Palea Kuluwaimaka, who became a chanter at age 19 in the royal court of King Kamehameha IV and was recognized at his death at age 100 in the 1930s as the “last court chanter.” Bridges’ Hui Ho`oulu Aloha hālau will present a hula tribute to their kumu.

Kumu Hula Leimomi I Maldonado and her brother Milton I will receive MGF’s Malia Kau Award for their dedication to the perpetuation of our hula traditions as taught to them by the late Maiki Aiu Lake, known as the mother of the Hawaiian Renaissance. Milton was one of the first male haumana of Aunty Maiki and the first male dancer in Waikiki’s most famous showrooms breaking new ground for other male dancers to follow.

Featured hālau include Leimomi I Maldonado’s Ka Hale I o Kahala Hālau Hula, Mapuana De Silva’s Hālau Mohala `Ilima, Hālau Hula ‘O Hokulani led by the late Hokulani De Rego’s three daughers, Leinani Lauaki, Kehaulani Kawai and Leonani Naho`oikaika, and more. For the first time in decades Nalani Kanakaole’s Hālau o Kekuhi from Hawai`i island will perform a special program at the festival.

Making their debut at the festival will be Tony Conjugacion’s Hālau Nā Wainohia and Sky Gora and Liko Cooke’s Kilipohe Nā Leilehua who carry on the tradition of their kumu hula, the late Leina‘ala Kalama Heine. Also performing for the first time is Hālau Māpuna Leo led by Kamana‘o Mano‘i-Hyde who studied under respected kumu hula Mapuana De Silva.

Other highlights include noon concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band on both Saturday and Sunday, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair featuring local crafters, demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian arts by noted cultural practitioners, including lauhala weaving, kapa making, ipu making, feather lei making, ukulele making and more.

Food vendors will offer a variety of mouth-watering local specialties featuring Hawaiian plates, shave ice, and other island favorites.

On Sunday, admission to Iolani Palace is free for Hawai‘i residents and military personnel with valid identification.

“This year’s 40th anniversary celebration promises to be one of our best ever and we invite the entire community and our visitors to join us for this free uniquely Hawaiian event,” he stated.

There is no charge to attend the festival, however, a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event.

Limited edition tee shirts and a souvenir poster will be on sale. Proceeds from these merchandise sales will help cover the costs of the festival.

The public, and visitors, are welcome to bring their low beach chairs and mats and enjoy the fun, food and festivities at historic Iolani Palace. No commercial photography is allowed.

Festival sponsors and supporters include the Hawaii Tourism Authority, National Endowment for the Arts, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the City and County of Honolulu and the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, Kamehameha Publishing, Hawaiian Airlines, The Queen’s Medical Center, Matson Navigation, Royal Hawaiian Center, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, the Honolulu Star Advertiser, MidWeek, ‘Ōlelo Community Media, Pasha Hawaii, Iolani Palace, Urgent Care Hawaii and others.

Named in memory of Prince Lot, who later reigned as King Kamehameha V, the festival was founded in 1978 by MGF and now attract thousands of residents and visitors each year.

A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture and environment of Hawai’i through education and stewardship of Kamananui Valley and celebration of the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. MGF depends upon grants and donations to cover festival costs. To make a donation or become a member please visit http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org/donate

Like us on facebook by clicking on the following Prince Lot Hula Festival link

Twenty Four Thousand Attend the38th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival

Held Saturday, July 18 and Sunday,
July 19, 2015 at Moanalua Gardens

Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) has announced that “Moanalua, He Wahi Pana…Moanalua, A Sacred Place,” the 38th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, drew an estimated 24,000 persons during the expanded two-day event held on Saturday, July 18 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm. Attendance on Saturday was estimated to be 13,000 persons while an estimated 11,000 people attended on Sunday.

The largest non-competitive hula event in Hawai‘i, the festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa who helped to revive the hula by staging pā`ina (parties) at his summer home in Moanalua, now located at the gardens.

“The festival would not have been possible without support from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and our sponsors and donors” said Alika Jamile, Executive Director and President of MGF, presenter of the festival.

“Thanks to our many sponsors and donors, the festival continues to surpass our expectations and each year increases in both popularity and prominence as our residents and visitors discover the beauty of hula performed in spectacular Moanalua Gardens,” stated Jamile. “It was especially heartwarming this year to see so many people turn out as we honored two outstanding kumu hula with MGF’s Malia Kau Award,” he continued.

Mo`olelo O Moanalua…Stories of Moanalua, the 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival taking place on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will showcase twenty of Hawai`i’s finest hālau hula (hula groups) over the festival weekend. A performance line-up is attached.

The largest non-competitive hula exhibition in Hawai‘i, the festival is held at spectacular Moanalua Gardens each year to honor Prince Lot Kapuāiwa who reprised the once forbidden hula in the district of Moanalua. It is presented by Moanalua Gardens Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Hawaii’s native culture and natural resources.

Also, Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning vocalists Kuana Torres Kahele and Raiatea Helm will be participating as special guests. Kuana will be signing CDs and his Make Lei DVDs, and will preview his Kuana elegant culture line of Ni`ihau shells and 14k gold jewelry. He will be at The Mountain Apple Company booth beginning at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Raiatea will headline the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, July 17 at 10 am and will sign her CDs, including her newest release He Leo Huali, at the booth following her concert.

Other highlights include noon concerts by the Royal Hawaiian Band on both Saturday and Sunday, a Hawaiian-themed craft fair featuring over 35 local crafters, demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian arts by noted cultural practitioners, including lauhala weaving, kapa making, ipu making, feather lei making, ukulele making and more.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is sponsoring poi pounding demonstrations with sampling from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday and Ulu Maika, a rock rolling sport similar to lawn bowling, on

“We are very pleased to see how much the festival is enjoyed by both kama`āina and malihini,” said Alika Jamile, MGF Executive Director and President.

“This year’s celebration promises to be one of our best ever and we invite the entire community and our visitors to join us for this free uniquely Hawaiian event,” he stated.

There is no charge to attend the festival, however, a button donation to MGF is requested to raise funds to support the event.

Limited edition tee shirts and a souvenir poster will be on sale. Proceeds from these merchandise sales will help cover the costs of the festival.

The public, and visitors, are welcome to bring their low beach chairs and mats and enjoy the fun, food and festivities under the shady monkeypod trees of Moanalua Gardens. No commercial photography is allowed.

An historic and cultural treasure, Moanalua Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Honolulu on the island of O`ahu. Once a botanical garden, it is home to legendary structures and rare trees, including the famous “Hitachi” tree.

Festival sponsors and supporters include the Hawaii Tourism Authority, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, Hawaiian Airlines, The Queen’s Medical Center, Matson Navigation, Royal Hawaiian Center, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, the Honolulu Star Advertiser, MidWeek, ‘Ōlelo Community Media, Pasha Hawaii, Solar City and others.

Named in memory of Prince Lot, who later reigned as King Kamehameha V, the festival was founded in 1977 by MGF and is enjoyed by both residents and visitors each year. Moanalua was a favorite recreation spot for Prince Lot, who helped revive the hula at his gatherings in the district of Moanalua. His summer cottage can be found on the gardens’ grounds.

To view participating hālau and a festival performance schedule, Click Here or call 808.839.5334 for more information.

A non-profit organization founded in 1970, Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is committed to preserving and perpetuating the native culture and environment of Hawai’i through education and stewardship of Kamananui Valley and celebration of the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. MGF depends upon grants and donations to cover festival costs. To make a donation or become a member please visit http://www.moanaluagardensfoundation.org.

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2016 Prince Lot Hula Festival

Mo`olelo O Moanalua…the stories of Moanalua

Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) is pleased to announce that Mo`olelo O Moanalua…the stories of Moanalua will be the theme for this year’s 39th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival. In ancient times, a center of hula and chanting, Kamananui (Moanalua) Valley was a revered place for Hawaiians. Many mele (songs) and oli (chants) originated in the valley.

Join us as we share some of these special stories with you on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at spectacular Moanalua Gardens in Honolulu.

Mahalos from 2015 Prince Lot Hula Festival participants

Kumu Hula Kapua Francisco

I want to mahalo all of you for inviting us to perform at the Prince Lot Hula Festival. It was truly an honor and privilege to be able to share our hula and mo’olelo with everyone. We are very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an amazing event.
Mahalo a nui loa!

Kumu Hula Noelani Tachera

Wanted to send our warm MAHALO for allowing us to give this year at Prince Lot! It was quite an overwhelming experience for all of us. …we are ever grateful for the participation. Mahalo lehulehu!

Ho`opa Elsie Ryder

You have always done a great job! …nice addition having Sunday.

Chandra Om

Many Mahalos. The Festival is like a dream you wish to last forever…

Waimakanui, James & Yuko Cortes (Crafter)

We had a great time at the Prince lot Hula festival. Thank you so much for including us in the event. We enjoyed the Hawaiian music, hula, and met many new wonderful people.
Thank you so much.

Dear Ms. Worsham,
May I say congratulations on an amazing weekend at the Prince Lot Hula Festival 2015.
Having attended this event for over two decades I am astonished by the continued growth and professionalism of the event.
How can it not touch the heart of the public when you honor the lifetime work of Kumu Joan S. Lindsey and Kumu Ed Collier! We received a gracious welcome to the beauty of Moanalua Gardens including a serenade by the Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club. You continue to educate us on the Hawaiian culture through the absolute joy of hula. How I enjoyed the beauty and variety of styles of the halau including the island of Molokai.
The good organization of a large event is never easy and it takes tremendous work. I appreciated the wide variety of artisans, cultural practitioners, food and the volunteers who assisted us.
While sitting in the audience I visited with people from Kauai and Hawaii who flew in for the festival. There were visitors from Asia, Europe and the mainland. The Prince Lot Hula Festival gave us memories to treasure, and a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian people and their culture.
You and your team have created a world class event!
Aloha Pumehana,
Gwendolyn Riggs Cook
Honolulu, Hawaii

Annual events offer unique experiences, share Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are unlike anywhere in the world. While our sun, sand and surf have made us a world-renowned dream destination, Hawaii is also a dynamic and vibrant place to live and visit. From relaxing on the world’s best beaches and dining at acclaimed restaurants to seeing movie stars at film festivals or top athletes at premier sporting events, where else would an isolated destination have access to so many world-class events and experiences?

As the fourth busiest international gateway into the U.S., the Hawaiian Islands welcomed a record 8.28 million visitors in 2014, who generated $14.7 billion in expenditures and $1.6 billion in state tax revenue.

To maintain this success, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, works with businesses, non-profit and community organizations to foster and cultivate programs and projects that provide residents and visitors with a variety of unique experiences and offerings that benefit our communities and grow our economy.

Hawaii has a colorful and distinct local culture that blends our Native Hawaiian and multi-ethnic heritage. We recognize a variety of special events from honoring King Kamehameha or perpetuating hula at the Merrie Monarch Festival, to celebrating Chinese New Year, the Filipino Fiesta or Japanese obon. Our collective and inclusive customs are great visitor experiences, which allow us to share and continue long-time traditions that enrich our communities.

This year, the HTA is supporting 181 Signature Events and Product Enrichment Programs statewide, which help to sustain Hawaii’s natural resources, and cultivate, preserve and promote old and new traditions that honor our cultural diversity and differentiate our destination.

The HTA’s Signature Events program promotes some of the state’s most highly anticipated events including the HTA’s Major Festivals like the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Honolulu Festival, Koloa Plantation Days Festival, Maui Film Festival, Pan Pacific Festival and Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

As part of this program, HTA is also the major sponsor of five Signature Native Hawaiian Festivals, including the Prince Kuhio Celebration, Merrie Monarch Festival, King Kamehameha Celebration, Prince Lot Hula Festivaland Aloha Festivals.

The HTA also supports 15 select Signature Sporting Events like the Sony Open in Hawaii on Oahu, XTERRA World Championship on Maui, Ironman World Championship on Hawaii Island and the Kauai Marathon. Last year, these world-class events generated over $200 million in broadcast ad value, more than $100 million in direct visitor spending and charitable donations for the state. They also diversify our visitor and resident experiences, and enhance Hawaii’s presence as a premier sports destination.

Every year, HTA partners with our counties and the Hawaii Community Foundation to support our CPEP programs. The 91 HTA CPEP programs this year encompass arts, music, food and cultural festivals, and sports and wellness events throughout the state, like the upcoming Hawaii Island Puna Music Festival, Oahu’s We are Samoa Festival, Maui’s 23rd Celebration of the Arts and Kauai’s May Day by the Bay.

While tourism is the lead economic driver in Hawaii, the key to our success is our host culture and people. Programs that highlight our diverse history, culture and landscape attract visitors back to the Hawaiian Islands, stimulate our tourism economy, sustain jobs, and create volunteer and philanthropic opportunities.

We, the tourism industry and community, must continue to work together to foster these types of programs, which create new and authentic experiences, enhance our lifestyles, engage and connect our communities, sustain our resources and perpetuate and educate our youth and others about what makes Hawaii so special, so that we may strengthen our identity as a destination and a state.

Upcoming Events

MOANALUA CURRICULUM WORKSHOPS! The Aloha ʻĀina Moanalua curriculum is now available for schools wanting to explore the Moanalua ahupuaʻa. The grade 4 unit includes a Moanalua ahupuaʻa map, old photographs of the area, and lesson[...]